Red Vermillion strikes for the first time since foaling

Red Vermillion registered her first success since foaling, as she ran out a good winner of the Troytown Bar Handicap.

Trained by Kevin Coleman, the Excelebration eight-year-old won twice in 2020 but missed the next two years on account of being in-foal.

She returned to action at Dundalk in February and finished a good third to Striking on her most recent start at Gowran.

She reversed that Striking (7/4f) form today, with the market leader ultimately finishing a disappointing twelfth after being eased in the closing stages.

Ridden by South African native Mpumelelo Mjoka, the 49-rated victor raced mainly in fourth and was pushed along in a close third from the two-furlong pole.

Soon ridden to the front, she kept up the gallop all the way to the line, coming home three lengths to the good in the colours of Coleman's mother Eileen.

The Chris Hayes ridden Doyouthinkso (18/1 from 50s early) came through to take second, while Bolero (11/4) and Ballybaun Star (14/1) were third and fourth respectively.

John O'Shea, representing Coleman said: "Kevin is actually in England today, he has Derry Lad running in Hamilton (Scotland) tomorrow.

"She's a tough little filly, but she just wants a trip. It suited her because they went a good gallop in front on that ground, even though she probably wants better ground.

"It is just unfortunate for the likes of her that there is not a lot of those staying handicaps at that grade, with Downpatrick and Wexford not racing on the Flat anymore. There was 2m1f in Downpatrick (Ulster Cesarewitch) and 1m5f in Wexford. They don't have those anymore and they didn't replace them.

"Would you believe she had a foal that filly. She had two years off. Probably going against the grain, but it didn't do her any harm in the end.

"She is probably capable of winning another."

STEWARDS REPORT

Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Bolero, trained by H.Rogers, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount did not get a clear run in the straight.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham